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Kidney Disease & ESRD
Kidney Function and Kidney Failure | Chronic Kidney Disease and ESRD | End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Overview
The physical effects of renal failure range from fatigue to nausea to trouble urinating. Below are a few symptoms you may have noticed as a result of reduced kidney function.
Renal failure can happen suddenly or over a long period of time. When it happens quickly, it is usually due to a traumatic event or complications of other conditions; this is known as “acute” renal failure. With proper treatment, it is sometimes possible for kidneys affected by acute renal failure to recover normal function. “Chronic” renal failure happens when the kidneys gradually lose their ability to remove the body’s waste. There are many causes of chronic renal failure, including genetic conditions and autoimmune diseases, but the most common are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). These two conditions can wear out the kidneys due to the extra effort required to filter out the extreme levels of fluid, salts and waste that result from their effect on the body.
Stage 5 is also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). “End stage” only means that your kidneys have reached the “end” of their ability to cleanse your blood and now need help to remove harmful wastes from your body. Proper treatment to remove build-up of excess fluid, salts and waste is essential; if these are not removed from your body, they can quickly become toxic, even fatal. Fortunately, you have treatment options that can effectively replicate the kidneys’ waste removal function.
While some ESRD patients remain on dialysis, others have the option to receive a kidney transplant. Dialysis is often used as a “bridge” to keep your body healthy while you await your transplant. With a transplant, you will receive a single healthy kidney, either from a family member or organ donor. One kidney is all your body needs to properly filter your blood, so if you receive a kidney from a living donor, you both will be able to lead healthy lives.
If CKD is diagnosed early, you will begin preparing for dialysis or a transplant at Stage 4. Because CKD can progress over years, it can be easy to overlook symptoms that get worse very slowly, and it is common that CKD can go undetected until Stage 5. When this happens, you will begin dialysis or prepare for a kidney transplant right away. No matter the cause of renal failure or the time of diagnosis, with proper treatment, many people have gone on to lead long and active lives with ESRD—and so can you.
Kidney Function and Kidney Failure
Kidneys are the body’s 24-hour filtration system. Our bodies have two kidneys, and they regulate the amount of fluid, chemicals and salt in the blood stream as well as remove wastes we ingest through our diets. These excess substances are then flushed out in the form of urine. Renal failure occurs when kidneys are no longer able to properly filter the blood. Renal means “pertaining to the kidneys.” Nephrons are the individual filtration units that make up the kidneys, so the prefix “nephr-“ is also used in kidney-related words; this is why the doctor who looks after your kidneys is called your nephrologist.The physical effects of renal failure range from fatigue to nausea to trouble urinating. Below are a few symptoms you may have noticed as a result of reduced kidney function.
Physical effects of Renal Failure
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Common Causes of Acute Renal Failure
| Common Causes of Chronic Renal Failure
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Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
Continued deterioration of kidney function is known as chronic kidney disease (CKD). The progress of CKD is measured in five stages, marked by how well your kidneys are able to filter your blood. Your doctor runs tests to determine your level of kidney function. Stage 5 CKD is diagnosed when kidney function has fallen to 15% or less of normal filtration ability.Stage 5 is also known as end stage renal disease (ESRD). “End stage” only means that your kidneys have reached the “end” of their ability to cleanse your blood and now need help to remove harmful wastes from your body. Proper treatment to remove build-up of excess fluid, salts and waste is essential; if these are not removed from your body, they can quickly become toxic, even fatal. Fortunately, you have treatment options that can effectively replicate the kidneys’ waste removal function.
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Treatment Overview
Dialysis is a process that filters excess fluid, salts and waste from your body with the help of a cleansing solution and a substitute filter. Dialysis treatments are typically scheduled three to five times per week, for three to five hours per session. You can learn more about dialysis options on the Dialysis page.While some ESRD patients remain on dialysis, others have the option to receive a kidney transplant. Dialysis is often used as a “bridge” to keep your body healthy while you await your transplant. With a transplant, you will receive a single healthy kidney, either from a family member or organ donor. One kidney is all your body needs to properly filter your blood, so if you receive a kidney from a living donor, you both will be able to lead healthy lives.
If CKD is diagnosed early, you will begin preparing for dialysis or a transplant at Stage 4. Because CKD can progress over years, it can be easy to overlook symptoms that get worse very slowly, and it is common that CKD can go undetected until Stage 5. When this happens, you will begin dialysis or prepare for a kidney transplant right away. No matter the cause of renal failure or the time of diagnosis, with proper treatment, many people have gone on to lead long and active lives with ESRD—and so can you.
Houston | 713-218-6500
The Woodlands | 832-442-2500
Vintage Park | 281-653-5850
The Woodlands | 832-442-2500
Vintage Park | 281-653-5850
